Even with suspension looming, TCU’s Fields still listed among nation’s defensive best

Devonte Fields has a two-game suspension looming after some off-season shenanigans.

But even with that penalty ahead, the blog post The Crystal Ball Run.com still has the sophomore TCU defensive end listed among its top 13 defensive players for the upcoming season.

The list is led by South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who likely will be a strong Heisman candidate.

It also predicts a strong comeback from Texas defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, who missed the second half of the season after sustaining a pectoral muscle injury against Oklahoma. Jeffcoat is ranked eighth and Fields is ninth.

Both could be breakthrough players in a conference where an effective pass rusher might be the most valuable defensive commodity a team could have.

I know that Gary Patterson or Mack Brown wouldn’t trade many for Fields or Jeffcoat.